NORTH Wales Police spending on interpreters has risen by astaggering 2,400% in five years as the force copes with a rise in European Union incomers.

The increase is the largest among UK forces, according to figures revealed under the Freedom of Information Act.

NWP is now paying £114,000 too language interpreters.

Many Poles have come to towns like Wrexham, while there are national plans to restrict numbers of Bulgarians and Romanians from January 1, 2007.

England and Wales forces reportedly spend £21m a year on language interpreters.

Last night, a North Wales Police spokesman said incomers needing evid-

ence translating had arrived from Poland, the Russian Federation and other east European countries.

A statement said: "In the financial year ending in March 2006 the force paid out £113,999.79 to interpreters who were employed to interview suspects, victims and witnesses; compared with the £4493.47 spent in 2001"

"In the interest of justice it is essential that suspected offenders have all the evidence translated by Home Office approved interpreters to ensure the integrity of the criminal justice system."

The force has appropriate arrangements in place for provision of suitably

qualified interpreters for people who are deaf and for those who do not under-stand English.

Last night, North Wales Police Authority chairman Ian Roberts said the need for interpreters was growing.

He said: "The demands on the North Wales force are increasing year on year and we will always endeavour to provide the best and most appropriate service, a case in point being the need for agrowing number of interpreters.

"This highlights the need for Westminster and Welsh Assembly government to ensure that policing in North Wales is adequately funded."

Danny Sriskandarajah, the associate director of the Institute for Public Policy Research, said the increased spending was to be expected as "interpreter services are not cheap".

He added: "Twenty years ago you could expect that someone coming to this countrywould learn English, but that assumption does not hold any more.

"Many people come here for the short term and have no interest in learning English, which means that police will probably need more interpreter services in the future."

Police are required to use independent translators from the National Register of Public Service Interpreters, which cost £33 an hour plus travel expenses.